the seizure and holding of property as security for payment of a debt or satisfaction of a claim; "Originally distress was a landloard's remedy against a tenant for unpaid rents or property damage but now the landlord is given a landlord's lien"

The right of a landlord to seize the property of a tenant in the premises rented by the tenant, as collateral. This collateral is against a tenant who has not paid the rent or has otherwise defaulted on the lease, such as wanton disrepair or destruction of the premises. A common way to "distrain" against a tenant is by changing locks and giving notice to the tenant. A legal action to reclaim goods that have been distrained is called replevin (which see).

In English law, distraint or distress is a remedy for non-payment of rent. It involves the seizure of goods (chattels) belonging to the tenant by the landlord to sell them for the payment of the rent. The goods are held for five days and if the rent is not paid, they may be sold.